Welcome BRIAN BERRY
M aster Builder Awards ceremonies have been happening across the UK, with the big national ceremony in Manchester taking place on Friday 26 September. Hosted by television personality Nick Knowles, our ceremonies this year have been the biggest and best to date – so expectations are high for Manchester. Read more about the awards on pages 30-37. See the beautiful work of member Marfield Joinery & Construction in Northern Ireland (pages 18-19), which was highly commended at the awards for its sustainable building converting a 200-year-old bungalow into an energy-efficient home. The FMB’s virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September is significant this year as it includes the election of the new presidential team. Members are able to vote for the new National President and National Vice-President. Details about the AGM can be found on page 14. Given that the FMB is a membership organisation, it’s important to vote so please don’t miss this opportunity. Mental health in construction is a serious concern with high rates of stress, anxiety, depression and suicide. Long hours, physically demanding work, job insecurity and a culture that discourages seeking help contribute to these issues. Turn to pages 24-25 to learn how and why members David Gutierrez and Aidan Cropper, along with the Lighthouse Charity’s CEO Sarah Bolton, emphasise the importance of seeking support when struggling.
“The FMB’s virtual AGM in September is significant this year as it includes the election of the new presidential team. Members are able to vote.”
The FMB has been busy with a range of policy issues – housebuilding, retrofit, skills, the importance of SMEs to the economy – affecting our industry, with a flurry of activity among select committees in the House of Commons wanting evidence from the FMB. To date, we have given oral evidence to four select committees’ inquiries. We have also been asked to take an active role in Professor Peter Bonfield’s inquiry on how to make properties more flood resilient. On retrofit the FMB has been asked to join an expert group advising the government on how best to secure consumer protection for retrofit work. This links in with the FMB’s ongoing work with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), which includes independent research by Professor Gavin Killip to map the retrofit landscape. (See page 15.) Given the uncertain economic situation, businesses need to plan for the long term – and knowing what’s happening in the industry is key. Economist Tom Hall shares his view on the Spring Statement, which included funding for infrastructure and affordable housing. (See page 17.) Business coach Robin Hayhurst is also on hand to offer long-term planning guidance on pages 22-23. In the meantime, enjoy the final moments of summer.
BRIAN BERRY, Chief Executive Federation of Master Builders
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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